Achter de Kerk (2008)

In the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Gorinchem, situated at the mouth of the Linge, was one of the first settlements from which the hinterland was developed. In the centuries that followed, the settlement grew under the rule of the Lords of Arkel developed into a town from the second half of the 13^de century earthen ramparts and moats. In 1382 Gorcum obtained city ​​rights.

The clearing of the graves

As in many villages and towns, the church was the centre of the settlement. In 1263 a Saint Martin consecrated church was put into use. The tower was badly damaged in a storm in 1361 and was replaced by the current tower, which was built between 1450 and 1517. It is possible that the deceased were buried on the consecrated ground around the church building from the time the first church in Gorcum was built.

Cemetery

The first image of the church and the cemetery, by the cartographer Jacob van Deventer, dates from the 16^de century. Cartographic data from the 16^de all 20^e century give an impression of the development of the church building and the spatial use of the surrounding area. This shows that the part of the church grounds north of the tower that was Hollandia Archaeologists has been investigated, possibly up to the 18^de century was used as a cemetery.

During this archaeological investigation, which was carried out in connection with the planned installation of a fire extinguishing system for the church tower, 53 individuals were excavated. According to Christian traditions, the graves were predominantly oriented east-west, with a slight deviation to the north due to the layout of the cemetery dictated by the location of the Krijtstraat.

(Detail) city map of Gorinchem, Jacob van Deventer (1558)

Due to the limited surface area that could be investigated during the archaeological excavation, statements about the layout and development of the cemetery are difficult to substantiate. A distinction in the coffin shapes of the graves in the northern part of the excavation pit and the other graves may be related to the layout of the cemetery. A diachronic distinction may be recognizable in the discontinuity of the choice of location for the burials. This is also an indication of the way in which the graves were marked.

The find material and the dendrochronological Datings of the wood of the coffins show that the individuals found were between 14^de-15^de century and the 18^de century must have been buried.

Poor people

The program physical-anthropological research shows that the Gorcumers who were buried in this part of the cemetery belonged to the poor part of the population. The women in particular, as a result of their harsh living conditions, only reached a small height and died at a young age.

The poor were buried in simple coffins made of cheap wood in a grave, which in only a few cases had a cross, in the shadow of the Grote Kerk in Gorinchem.